Ascent of Torreys Peak on 2008-07-19

Ascent Trip Report

Last minute cancellation of Saturday plans. All the weekend CMC trips were overful. Wanted to get Torreys, as didn't get the expected ski descent this Spring. Worried about the Stevens Gulch road 14ers.com reports the road even worse than in the past. Figured I would hitchhike, with all the traffic.

Left Boulder 520, arrived Bakerville about 630...found the lot almost full including pickups and SUV's..drove up to first hairpin ~.25miles, a few more cars parked here. Deep water rut just above this. I was tired and risked it with the Subaru and cleared successfully. It was the worst part...but several other spots in the road compared. I was in first gear at ~1500rpm....so right at the edge. Parked in the main lot, along the side of the road. Maybe 50 cars here already.

Started up trail at 7:07am. Forgot the first part climbs fairly steeply, but good trail. Ran into Dave Richards Family out for a walk. Found several indivdiuals pacing or racing me on the way up, fortunately the couldn't keep the pace and stopped, usually right after passing me (get lives). On the lower part of the scree face...new sign showing separate trails to Grays and Torreys...Grays goes East to gain the ridge...didn't realize this when skiing 2 years ago. A little depostion snow just below the Saddle, but well stomped down. Dead Dog couloir was full of snow top to bottom, but LOOKED very soft, at least at the top. Entrance as 45degrees or steeper, with some cornice still there.

Summited with about 6 other people there at 9:14am. Most people seemed to be going to Grays first. Good view. watched several ascending the Kelso ridge (Class 3) including a first ever 14er person, and a husky named Sadie. There is a knife edge ridge near the summit, that Sadie had to be almost carried across. I registered her in the summit registry.

Left at 9:54, returning the same way. Paused at DD couloir, and decided I shouldn't attempt w/o and axe and buddy. Walk down still had compression pain in left foot ball and toes. Using Gel footbeds with 2 thin socks...a much better fit. Back to trailhead at 1135